Do Chickens Need Perches

Chickens need perches in their coop to allow them to sleep without standing in their feces. Chickens roost on perches in the wild to avoid predators at night and during the day. Perches in a chicken coop help fulfill this natural tendency.

Can chickens sleep without a perch?

A minimum of 14 cm of perch space (width) per average-sized hen is needed for comfort and well-being. Hens without enough space may choose not to roost, and lack of space may also lead to issues like bullying and feather pecking.

Why do chickens need a perch?

Why Do They Need Them – Chickens prefer to be up high off the ground when they sleep. … Sleeping on the ground or floor of the coop also leaves them more susceptible to pathogens, bacteria and external parasites such as mites and lice, so you want your hens to perch on roosts at night.